In an impression explanation of counterdefensive attributions, the tendency of subjects is to accept primary responsibility for negative outcomes and to deny credit for positive outcomes. Counterdefensive attributions represent attempts at maximizing the esteem in which observers hold the actor. To test this hypothesis, a 2 x 5 simulation was…

Trends in federal research and development funding that affect historically black colleges (HBCs) are outlined and statistical data provided. National Science Foundation data show almost no change in the HBC share of this funding from FY 1978 to FY 1979. The rise of HBC funding (12 percent) was exceeded by the figure for overall funding (14…

The purpose of this study was to replicate, with female respondents, a 1975 survey of male preservice substance abuse and its correlates. The Navy's Drug Experiences Questionnaire was administered to 519 women in June 1976. Responses were compared to those of the 1975 male sample. Results showed that female and male preservice drug experiences…

A preventive intervention program based on self-help groups for parents reinforced by the involvement of veteran parents, those who had a premature infant during the past 12 months, and professionals to provide support and information was evaluated. Sets of randomly selected parents (N=35) met weekly in a small group of four to six couples during…

The problem of arrests not ending in conviction is described in terms of its magnitude and costs. Three major aspects of the role of the police in influencing what happens after arrest are studied. Factors such as tangible evidence and witnesses are influenced by the time between the offense and the arrest. The characteristics of the officers…

Product-market planning is an inherently difficult practice. It aims at a match between consumer preference and institutional behavior. Unfortunately, consumer reactions to changes in institutional behavior are often highly uncertain. This paper assumes that institutional planners should neither ignore uncertainty nor seek to avoid all actions…

The European Centre for Higher Education organized a symposium in October l977 to prepare a study on access to higher education in Europe. The purpose of the symposium was to pool suggestions for the plan and content of the proposed study and to examine possible methods of approach for certain problems that have recently arisen in the area of…

Five hundred ninety-five students enrolled in undergraduate classes in psychology and business administration at the University of Maryland completed an anonymous questionnaire inquiring about their use or nonuse of marijuana, their reasons for using or not using the substance, and their attitudes toward the legal penalties for marijuana…

The incidence and extent of irrational beliefs in the obese were investigated as well as subsequent changes in such beliefs as a result of participation in a self-monitored weight control program. Subjects were 53 females who were a minimum of 10 pounds and an average of 32 pounds overweight. The obese sample was administered the Irrational…

With the increased use of paraprofessionals as service providers to the elderly, and indication in current literature that negative attitudes toward the aged are reflected in treatment received, the need for specialized training in geriatrics is apparent. A true-false 54-item questionnaire concerning older people's social, economic, physical and…

This assumption that non-standard speakers are limited in their linguistic ability is examined based on a larger study investigating the speech of working-class adolescents in Sydney, Australia's inner-city areas. Speech samples of four children are presented. An examination of verbal structures reveals that there is a predominance of simple…

Relationships among grade point averages and reading test scores were sought in an effort to learn whether successful students are characterized by good vocabularies, understanding, and rapid reading. Seniors within a few weeks of graduation and obtaining their elementary teaching certificates were given the Nelson-Denny Reading Test. Pearson's…

The classroom test performance of three groups, self-monitoring (SM), a combination of self-monitoring, self-reinforcement and self-punishment (SM+C), and controls, were compared in independent replications in a chemistry (n=149) and a calculus (n=80) class. In chemistry, but not calculus, the experimental subjects outperformed controls. It was…

The recruitment process of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) program at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) was evaluated. Surveys were conducted to obtain data. Subjects were 163 NJIT students and 293 employment recruiters who conducted campus interviews. Findings indicate that campus recruiters, a majority of whom…

In this third annual report from the National Research Council (NRC), articles are presented on national issues by officers of the assemblies of behavioral and social sciences, engineering, life sciences, mathematical and physical sciences, human resources, international relations, natural resources, sociotechnical systems, and medicine. Topics…